Minister Sargent responds to very difficult weather conditions facing producer of vegetable
Commenting on the very difficult weather conditions facing producers of vegetable crops, Mr Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture and Food emphasised that a partnership approach is the key to supplying the consumer with high quality seasonal fruit and vegetables.
"Poor weather conditions bring huge uncertainty to harvesting and planting operations. Producers have shown great resilience but they need some assurance about market prospects and returns if they are to continue investing and supplying local products to the consumer in a sector where seasonality provides diversity and added interest" said the Minister.
Minister Sargent pointed out that the recent EU reform of the fruit and vegetable sector will bring new opportunities to support producer organisations in production/supply planning and in the promotion of greater consumption of fruit and vegetables, particularly by young people. The new arrangements will also provide aid for producer organisations that undertake measures to prevent or manage crises such as adverse weather conditions.
"Nevertheless, the market relationship between the producers, retail sector and consumer is the key to the development of this important sector" said Minister Sargent. "Partnership arrangements between producers and retailers will work best where they take account of seasonal variation in supply and of the need for continued investment in the sector to benefit the consumer seeking local food".
27 July, 2007
Date Released: 27 July 2007
